--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The harder you try to be perfect, the…" description: "\"“The harder you try to be perfect, the less likely you’ll accomplish your goals.”\" — Jon Acuff" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/jon-acuff-8706_accomplish_the-harder-you-try-to-be-perfect-the-les_2334186.jpg" --- # The harder you try to be perfect, the less likely you’ll… ![“The harder you try to be perfect, the less likely you’ll accomplish your goals.” quote by Jon Acuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/jon-acuff-8706_accomplish_the-harder-you-try-to-be-perfect-the-les_2334186.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/jon-acuff-8706_accomplish_the-harder-you-try-to-be-perfect-the-les_2334186.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fe/jon-acuff-8706_accomplish_the-harder-you-try-to-be-perfect-the-les_2334186.jpg) > ““The harder you try to be perfect, the less likely you’ll accomplish your goals.”” [Jon Acuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-acuff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Perfectionism hinders progress; aiming for flawless results often blocks achievement. **In simple terms:** Striving for perfection can stop you from succeeding. Key Takeaway Embrace imperfection, focus on forward motion. Themes perfectionism goal setting self‑criticism Mood determined reflective hopeful Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - project deadlines - personal development - creative work Key Concepts growth mindset realistic standards productivity Questions to Reflect On - What small step can you take today despite imperfections? - How does fear of failure affect your work? 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Know that you can do anything and anything will happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-trachtenberg/believe-in-yourself-if-you-don-t-believe-in-yourself-you-can-t/) [Michelle Trachtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-trachtenberg/) > [“You don't have to know how you are going to accomplish your goals, you just have to know that you will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-basevic/you-don-t-have-to-know-how-you-are-going-to-accomplish-your-goals-you/) [Mike Basevic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-basevic/) > [You can't do it all yourself. Don't be afraid to rely on others to help you accomplish your goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/you-can-t-do-it-all-yourself-don-t-be-afraid-to-rely-on-others-to/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [“Discipline is the power that will help you stay committed to accomplish your goals. 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It can’t let you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-acuff/perfectionism-is-a-desperate-attempt-to-live-up-to-impossible/) [Jon Acuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-acuff/) > [“Cut your goal in half. Choose what you’ll bomb. Make it fun if you want it done.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-acuff/cut-your-goal-in-half-choose-what-you-ll-bomb-make-it-fun-if-you-want/) [Jon Acuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-acuff/) > [“Your emotions cloud your judgment. They form a perfect smoke screen for denial, making your path in life feel murky and confusing. In the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-acuff/your-emotions-cloud-your-judgment-they-form-a-perfect-smoke-screen/) [Jon Acuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-acuff/) > [“Writers aren’t the only ones who use the first kind of noble obstacle. I know some guys who say they can’t work out until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-acuff/writers-aren-t-the-only-ones-who-use-the-first-kind-of-noble-obstacle/) [Jon Acuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-acuff/) > [“If you ever have to do a complicated, multistep explanation to say why what you’re doing is valuable, it probably isn’t.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-acuff/if-you-ever-have-to-do-a-complicated-multistep-explanation-to-say-why/) [Jon Acuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-acuff/) > [Don't compare you beginning with someone Else's middle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-acuff/don-t-compare-you-beginning-with-someone-else-s-middle/) [Jon Acuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-acuff/) > [“Hiding places are tricky like that. 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But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-guerin/the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give-me-confidence-but-i-derive-my/) [Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-guerin/) > [There's things that you want to accomplish, but to do that you have to work. 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